Running On Empty

Original Theatrical Date: September 9, 1988

The late River Phoenix rose to stardom—and an Academy Award nomination—in this poignant drama from director Sidney Lumet (Dog Day Afternoon).

Ex-radicals Judd Hirsch (TV’s Taxi) and Oscar, Golden Globe and Emmy-winner Christine Lahti (Swing Shift and TV's Chicago Hope) have raised their family in hiding, constantly moving and changing aliases to flee facing charges from an inadvertent crime they committed as war protestors 15 years earlier.

As their eldest son (Phoenix) comes of age, he is torn between running with his beloved fugitive parents, or developing his musical talents and pursuing his own life, which includes new girlfriend (Martha Plimpton, The Goonies).

Nominated for two Oscars and four Golden Globe Awards, including “Best Picture,” “Best Actress” and “Best Director,” Siskel & Ebert call Running On Empty "...one of Lumet's best films...one of the best movies of the year...the acting in this film is wonderful."